Seoul: Former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun has made a formal request for the recusal of a judge at the Seoul Central District Court just hours before a scheduled arrest warrant hearing concerning his involvement in the brief imposition of martial law under former President Yoon Suk Yeol.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Kim's legal team filed for the recusal against the court's 34th Criminal Division, led by Judge Han Sung-jin. The defense claims that the division is predominantly focused on arresting individuals and is conducting trials that lack fairness and thoroughness. Kim has been in custody since December 27 and is facing charges of insurrection for advising the implementation of martial law and drafting the related decree.
Kim's current detention period is set to conclude on June 26. However, recent developments saw independent counsel Cho Eun-suk pressing additional charges against Kim, including obstruction of official duties and facilitating the destruction of evidence linked to the martial law case. In light of these new charges, Cho has petitioned for an arrest warrant, with the hearing scheduled for 2:30 p.m. on Monday.